Tom Bawden is a UK-based journalist specializing in energy transitions, environmental policy, and scientific conservation. Since 2022, he has been a lead correspondent for The i Paper, where his reporting bridges technical analysis with community-focused storytelling.
For pitches, prioritize data-rich stories that align with the UK’s legally binding climate targets. Bawden’s work consistently demonstrates that the most impactful environmental journalism sits at the intersection of human stories and hard science.
We’ve followed Tom Bawden’s career as a leading voice in energy and environmental reporting, where his work at The i Paper combines rigorous scientific analysis with incisive policy critique. Over the past decade, Bawden has established himself as a trusted authority on climate solutions, renewable energy transitions, and the intersection of infrastructure development with ecological preservation.
Bawden’s career began at The Independent and Evening Standard, where he honed his expertise in energy markets and resource economics. His transition to The i Paper in the early 2020s marked a shift toward deeper investigative reporting on sustainability challenges. Key phases include:
Bawden prioritizes research with immediate implications for UK climate targets. A 2024 piece on perovskite solar cells, for instance, linked laboratory efficiency records to potential rooftop applications in London. Successful pitches should highlight peer-reviewed studies from institutions like the Grantham Institute, emphasizing scalability and regulatory hurdles.
His Wicklesham Quarry coverage demonstrates how hyperlocal stories can illuminate national policy failures. PR professionals should identify regional cases where development plans clash with biodiversity goals, particularly if they involve SSSIs or UNESCO-designated sites.
Bawden frequently cites think tanks like Ember and Carbon Tracker. Pitches featuring economists or engineers who can critique government cost-benefit analyses—without partisan affiliations—will resonate.
While he covers innovations like small modular reactors, Bawden avoids “future tech” without clear deployment timelines. Focus instead on mature technologies facing adoption barriers, such as grid-scale battery storage.
His reporting on the solar boom notes rare Labour-Conservative alignment on renewables. Stories about policies with multi-party support, like offshore wind auctions, offer safer angles than politically divisive topics.
“The Faringdon Sponge Gravels are scientifically priceless. They must be passed down to the next generations of geologists to explore the many mysteries that remain.” — Professor Mark Wilson, quoted in Bawden’s 2025 SSSI investigation
Anger over multi-storey car park planned on one of UK's 'richest' fossil sites
The UK has entered a new era for solar power with nearly 3,500 solar farms in the planning system
Those living near proposed pylons tell The i Paper why they are angry about the Government's plans to knock money off their energy bills
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Energy, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant: